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Taco Bake Doritos

Featured in Delicious Main Dish Recipes for Every Occasion.

Turn taco night into an easy one-pan bake with this cheesy dish. Layers of seasoned beef, beans, salsa, corn, and crunchy Doritos create a perfect mix. Add your favorite toppings like sour cream or tomato, and bake until bubbly. Ready in 40 minutes, it’s perfect for a busy night and loved by kids!
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Updated on Sun, 23 Mar 2025 17:58:33 GMT
Cheesy taco bake with a spoon inside. Pin it
Cheesy taco bake with a spoon inside. | chefmelt.com

Jazz up your taco experience with this family-friendly Mexican bake that combines zesty beef, gooey cheese, and snappy tortilla chips in one awesome dish. Everyone loves this tasty creation that packs all your favorite taco elements in a super convenient form that works great for busy weeknights or fun get-togethers.

What makes this dish special is how everything stacks together. Each layer brings something different to the party. The flavorful meat forms a tasty foundation, while the broken chips give you that wonderful crunch in every mouthful.

Essential Elements

  • Ground Beef: Go for 85% lean for the best taste without too much fat
  • Tortilla Chips: Grab the nacho cheese kind for extra flavor kick
  • Black Beans: They pack in protein and give a nice substantial bite
  • Mexican Cheese: Shred it yourself for smoother, more even melting
A mouthwatering Mexican creation topped with fresh tomatoes, sliced black olives, and chunks of avocado, presented in a white serving bowl. Pin it
A mouthwatering Mexican creation topped with fresh tomatoes, sliced black olives, and chunks of avocado, presented in a white serving bowl. | chefmelt.com

Cooking Approach

Setting Up Your Meat:
Cook beef with onions in some oil until there's no pink left. Add your seasonings and drain off the extra grease. Your meat should taste good but not too strong.
Making The Mixture:
Mix your meat with corn and beans. Stir in salsa and some of your cheese. You want it wet enough to stick together but not soggy.
Building Your Bake:
Start with smashed chips on the bottom. Spread your meat mix over them evenly. Finish with the rest of your cheese on top.

Heat Settings

Cook at 350°F to get perfectly melty cheese while keeping your chips from getting too soft. Keep an eye on it during the last few minutes.

Extra Add-ons

Put out small dishes of fresh stuff like chopped tomatoes, lettuce, and sour cream so everyone can top their own serving.

Make-Ahead Options

Fix your meat mixture a day early if needed. Just wait to put the chips in until right before you bake so they don't get soggy.

Leftover Ideas

Turn what's left into wrapped burritos or taco salads to keep things interesting and avoid mushy chips.

Expert Advice

  • Put some chips around the edges for extra crunch
  • Make sure you drain the meat really well
  • Keep some extra chips handy for serving

This easy-to-make dish shows how basic ingredients can turn into something really special. It's great for family dinners or potluck parties and always makes people happy when they gather around the table.

A tasty Mexican meal garnished with diced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and black olives, served up in a clean white bowl. Pin it
A tasty Mexican meal garnished with diced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and black olives, served up in a clean white bowl. | chefmelt.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I get the dish ready beforehand?
You can make the beef mix in advance, but wait to add the chips and cheese until right before baking so they stay fresh.
→ What can I use if I’m out of Doritos?
Any tortilla chips or flavored corn chips will work as a great swap.
→ Can I switch the ground beef for something else?
Yes, substitute ground turkey or chicken if you like.
→ How do I store leftovers properly?
Keep leftovers refrigerated in a container with a lid for up to three days, but the chips might lose crispness.
→ Can this be made vegetarian?
Of course! Just skip the meat and throw in extra beans or veggies.

Taco Bake Doritos

This hearty dish combines seasoned beef, melty cheese, and tortilla chips, finished with taco toppings. Great for a laid-back dinner idea.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes

Category: Main Dish Recipes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Base

01 1/2 a medium onion, chopped up
02 1 pound of lean ground beef
03 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Seasonings

04 1 tablespoon chili powder
05 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

→ Casserole Ingredients

07 1 jar of salsa (15.5 ounces)
08 A can of black beans (14 ounces), rinsed and drained
09 2 cups of crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos
10 1 can of corn (12 ounces), drained
11 2 cups of shredded cheese, split up (cheddar or a Mexican blend works great)

→ Optional Toppings

12 Choose from sour cream, avocado, black olives, chopped lettuce, scallions, fresh cilantro, or diced tomatoes

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F and move the rack to the middle position.

Step 02

Add oil to a pan and heat it on medium-high. Toss in the beef and break it apart as it cooks for about 5 minutes. Add the spices and onion, then let it cook another 5 minutes.

Step 03

Spread your Doritos across the bottom of a 9x13 dish to form a base.

Step 04

After draining the grease from the beef, stir in the beans, corn, one-half of the cheese, and all the salsa. Mix it until the cheese melts. Spoon this over the Doritos in the dish.

Step 05

Top with the rest of the cheese, leave the dish uncovered, and bake for 15-20 minutes. When the cheese is bubbly and melty, take it out. Serve hot with any toppings you like.

Notes

  1. Serves 6-8, depending on how hungry folks are.
  2. You can check this out in the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials book.

Tools You'll Need

  • A large skillet or pan
  • A casserole dish (9x13 size)

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes cheese, which has dairy in it.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 441
  • Total Fat: 20 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 38 g
  • Protein: 27 g